Nissan introduces the e-NV2000 electric van

e-NV200. Click to enlarge.

Nissan introduced the Nissan e-NV200 battery-electric compact commercial van, the second battery-electric vehicle in its global line-up, joining the Nissan LEAF.

The e-NV200’s electric drivetrain, based on that used in the LEAF, is combined with the cargo volume of the NV200 to create a practical and versatile vehicle capable of carrying people or goods. Although based on significant elements of the two existing vehicles, e-NV200 is a bespoke vehicle with a unique part count of more than 30%. When sales start in June, e-NV200 will be available as a van or as a five-seat people carrier in Combi or more luxurious Evalia guises.

e-NV200 underwent a full engineering development program as if it were new from the ground up. The drivetrain has been re-engineered in a number of significant areas to suit its new role, while changes have been made to the vehicle shell to ensure there has been no compromise to cargo space.

Differences between e-NV200 and NV200 include visual changes, a re-engineered chassis, interior revisions, a new battery pack, a higher capacity regenerative braking system and other modifications to ensure e-NV200 is better suited to its likely role as a city-based delivery vehicle for cargo and people.

Second-generation integrated electric powertrain. Source: Nissan. Click to enlarge.

Mechanically, e-NV200 owes much to the Nissan LEAF with independent front suspension by MacPherson strut. LEAF also provides the drivetrain, including its recently introduced second generation 80 kW AC synchronous motor, which is now fully integrated with the battery charger and inverter in one compact, self-contained unit.

There are some significant changes, however, for e-NV200. Most notable is the Lithium-ion battery which has been changed to allow it to fit under e-NV200’s floor without compromising the cargo area. The new pack, which is built at Nissan's plant in Sunderland, UK, and assembled in Barcelona, has the same number of modules—48—as in Leaf and the same 24 kWh capacity, but is packaged differently.

The battery module is set low in the vehicle under the load floor and is mounted in a reinforced zone for extra safety protection in the event of an impact. The battery mounting assembly also helps boost the torsional and lateral stiffness of the vehicle by 20% and 35% respectively over NV200.

The battery can be recharged overnight using a domestic 16-amp single-phase 3.3 kW supply which reduces to four hours if a 6.6 kW/32-amp supply is used. A dedicated CHAdeMO DC 50 kW quick charger can recharge the battery from 0-80 percent in 30 minutes or less if the battery is already partially charged.

More than 1,000 public CHAdeMO quick chargers are now installed across Europe; in addition, a number of companies have installed their own dedicated quick charging facilities at their home depots or offices.

The instant torque delivery typical of an electric vehicle means the battery-powered version accelerates faster than its conventional cousin: its 0-100 km/h time is quicker than the 1.5 dCi-powered NV200, with final figures to be confirmed later this year.

Another drivetrain change over LEAF determined by e-NV200’s likely usage pattern is a new braking system with a higher regenerative capacity. This takes advantage of the vehicle’s typical stop/start city driving modes, while Hill Start Assist is fitted as standard, holding the vehicle for two seconds after the footbrake is released to allow smooth starting.

Although mainly targeted at businesses, Nissan is also targeting e-NV200to private users with large families. The e-NV200’s homologated NEDC range of 170 km (106 miles) is greater than the average 100-kilometer (62-mile) daily driving distance of more than half the fleets which utilize this class of van; the payload and cargo area is the same as NV200’s.

The LCV version still has a cargo volume of 4.2 m³ and can carry two standard Euro pallets, while sliding side doors on both sides and wide opening rear doors ensure that loading and unloading is as easy as possible.

The proven and highly effective electric powertrain driving e-NV200 is ideally suited to the typical stop/start daily routine of a working vehicle. With no exhaust or noise pollution, e-NV200 is environmentally and people friendly, while the lack of fatigue-inducing noise and vibration from the drivetrain coupled with the single-speed transmission will provide genuine benefits to every hard working delivery or taxi driver. Fleet operators, meanwhile, will love the low running costs.

—Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Director of Electric Vehicles for Nissan Europe

A comprehensive real-world test program was undertaken in Japan and Europe with pre-production models handed over to companies including FedEx, Coca-Cola, DHL, IKEA, British Gas and the Japan Post Office to operate as part of their everyday fleets. Feedback from drivers and fleet managers has been used to fine tune e-NV200 before series production began at Nissan’s major LCV facility in Barcelona, Spain.

Source: Green Car Congress

Judge Nixes Nissan’s Taxi Of Tomorrow

New York City’s May Bloomberg has long been a controversial figure, from his ban on oversized soft drinks and smoking to his insistence on a uniform taxi fleet. But Bloomberg and Nissan have been dealt a severe setback, with a high court judge striking down the provision that legally obligates cabbies to buy the NV200 “Taxi of Tomorrow.”

The NV200 was the winner of a contest held by New York City, which up until a few years ago had left taxi operators to use whatever vehicles they felt like. This allowed for a variety of vehicles, including hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape, to make their way on the scene. But by and large most cabbies used the tried-and-true Ford Crown Victoria, with some companies stockpiling whole replacement fleets before the law went into effect at the end of October.

The law would have made it so all non-hybrid taxi purchases had to be a Nissan NV200, but cabbies fought back with a multitude of lawsuits. Unsurprisingly, the taxi and limo associations won, with New York Justice Hagler stating that there are no provisions in the city charter giving the mayor the authority to dictate what taxi cabs must be used.

While some companies will no doubt still opt to buy the NV200, which Nissan has spent plenty of time and money designing and researching for the New York market, they are no longer obligated to do so. Nissan’s captive consumer base has been set free, which could delay plans for an eventual fleet of all-electric taxis that is still being tested in the streets of the Big Apple.

Whose side are you on?

 Source: Wall St. Journal

Fight The Future: NYC Taxi of Tomorrow

The Taxi of Tomorrow is most likely coming to New York City. As it stands, on October 28^th all non-new hybrid taxis in the city will be a Nissan NV200, though there are still those opposing the program. New York, get ready for a Nissan invasion.

The Nissan NV200 is more of a van than a traditional sedan that is routinely used as cabs, and was the winter of the Taxi of Tomorrow contest. The Nissan NV200 was designed from the inside out using input from New York taxi drivers, medallion holders, and passengers. The NV200s offer interesting features such as more space for passengers, increased cargo room, and even a transparent roof so passengers can look up at the city. An electric version is even in the works specifically for taxi use.

So how is the NV200 on gas mileage? Well, about 24 miles per gallon in the city, which isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. The NV200 will only be replacing non hybrid cabs in the city however, and some NYC taxi driver operators aren’t happy with being told what to buy.

Lawsuits to prevent implementation of the Taxi of Tomorrow have been filed, claiming the vehicle is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act because it is not wheelchair accessible, although the Nissan NV200 can be retrofitted. Additionally, a few NYC taxi fleets have planned to retire their current non hybrid cabs early and purchase new cabs that are not Nissan NV200s, likely using the old Crown Vics for as long as possible. With these new cabs in operation before the deadline, implementation of the 3 to 5 year plan could take much longer.

So why all the fuss over the NV200s? Well historically it seems that any change that impacts the The Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade is met with opposition – these are they guys who fought mandatory air conditioning in cabs. Concerning the NV200, its one part money and one part is politics. The Greater New York Taxi Association, a group of medallion owners that oppose the plan, is flat out accusing NYC of exceeding its authority by mandating that operators buy a Taxi of Tomorrow. They don’t want to be told what cars they have to buy, and they have a point.

As for politics, Bloomberg is on his way out of office, so any delay of the Taxi of Tomorrow implementation by a court of law could push the project off to the next administration, where it might get struck down or just loose traction and fall flat. The kicker here is that the Taxi of Tomorrow was selected by taxi operators and users. People who use cab services want this vehicle!

The good news is the people will most likely get what they want; even with the opposition mass production of Nissan NV200 began in August at Nissan’s assembly plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico. That is a good indication that the vehicles will soon hit the roads. As October 28^th approaches keep your eyes open in NYC, your next ride could be in a Taxi of Tomorrow.

Source: NYTimes.com

Nissan e-NV200 Electric Taxi Debuts At Frankfurt Motor Show

Nissan e-NV200 and LEAF

Nissan e-NV200

At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, Nissan introduced its e-NV200 – electric van in taxi version – that will be included in Barcelona’s fleet.

The electric taxi was presented by Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, in the presence of the Barcelona Mayor, Xavier Trias.

Barcelona will be the first city in the world to implement the e-NV200 taxi in public transport, after it enters production in mid-2014 in the Zona Franca area of Barcelona.

Nissan is investing 100 million euros and will create over 700 new jobs locally in Barcelona, so it will become the single global manufacturing plant for the e-NV200 and those vehicles will be exported worldwide.

e-NV200 will be the second electric from the Nissan brand, available in delivery and passenger versions, with a LEAF drivetrain.

Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn and Barcelona Mayor, Xavier Trias next to Nissan e-NV200

In talking about the new electric taxi initiative, Ghosn said:

“We applaud Barcelona city for making this clear commitment to integrating the revolutionary Nissan e-NV200 electric vehicle into the city’s taxi fleet. We are delighted that the city where we will build this new vehicle is leading the way in promoting clean transportation for the benefit for all its citizens and visitors. The e-NV200 is a revolutionary product that will make zero emission taxis and goods delivery vehicles a reality in cities across the globe from next year. “

Nissan e-NV200

Nissan is committed to supporting the City of Barcelona with the deployment of a charging infrastructure, so we can expect many new CHAdeMO quick chargers:

“Nissan will contribute to installation of the necessary charging infrastructure for the city by providing CHAdeMO quick chargers. The Nissan-designed chargers can recharge any compatible electric vehicle from 0-80% battery in just 30 minutes. Barcelona City Hall and the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona will install these quick chargers across the city to create a network for taxi drivers and others to quickly “refuel”. These quick charger are part of the over 1,200 planned to be installed across Europe by March 2014.”

Moreover, Nissan and the City of Barcelona also aim at encouraging electric vehicle use in goods delivery:

“As part of the agreement the City Council is committed to provide specific places for loading and unloading goods and to enable electric vehicle charging points, as well as promoting a specific identification for electric vehicles. They will also consider the creation of goods delivering zones and schedules exclusively for zero-emission vehicles and to introduce tax cuts such as reducing business taxes to companies with fleets of electric vehicles.”

Nissan e-NV200

Nissan e-NV200

Nissan e-NV200 charging inlets

U.S. Taxis Get Greener; Hybrid & Electric Cabs Increasing

For decades, the stalwart of the taxi ranks has been thefull-size sedan.

Sturdy, simple and cheap to buy, cars like Ford's Crown Victoria have become part of the landscape in cities like New York. But with rising gas prices and concerns over emissions, things are really changing.

While not yet a dominant force in taxi fleets, hybrid and electric vehicles are increasingly popular as a way of cleaning up city fleets.

Initial concerns over the reliability of hybrids have long passed thanks to taxis still going strong at 300,000 miles, and electric vehicles are proving their worth in the environment to which they're most suited--inner cities.

Already comparatively green, as a method of transportation that foregoes car ownership, we've seen several electric fleets spring up over the last few years.

Arlington County, Virginia, is set to get its first electric taxi fleet soon. The fleet of 40 cars will be more high-tech than most, with rear-mounted iPads allowing passengers to browse the internet and search for local attractions.

Earth Techling reports that drivers would recharge at home, but additional charging stations would also be installed in the county as a whole.

Prototype of 2012 Nissan Leaf as New York City taxi cab

Big cities getting greener

In New York, hybrids continue to dominate.

During the recent Hurricane Sandy disaster, taxi drivers were desperately trying to get hold of the hybrids, as long lines for gas stations crippled city road transport.

The high-mileage hybrids were able to operate back-to-back shifts while drivers in 12 mpg Crown Vics waited hours for fuel.

NYC is also considering electric taxis, likely to be based on the new Nissan NV200 "Taxi of Tomorrow" models. Nissan has already trialed a small fleet of Leafsin the city.

Chicago too has a 'Green Taxi Plan'. So far this has put mostly compressed natural gas vehicles on the roads, but hybrids and electric cars are part of the plan, too.

40 percent of the city's fleet is already "green", made up of hybrid and natural gas vehicles, and the city is aiming for a 75-80 percent green fleet (Sustainable Chicago pdf file).

And while there were concerns that the aforementioned Taxi of Tomorrow. would kill off NYC's hybrid fleet--6,000 vehicles from the city's 13,000 yellow cabs--it isn't hard to see hybrids remaining an important force, and electrics joining them as the technology improves.

Source: Green Car Reports

Nissan Taxi Of Tomorrow debuting on eve of New York International Auto Show

The 2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi, New York’s Taxi of Tomorrow, will make its global debut tonight at a special event in SoHo with Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. (Earlier post.)

The new taxi is powered by a proven 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline-fueled powertrain (with a 150,000-mile warranty), engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet. As part of the Taxi of Tomorrow program, Nissan is also working with the City and taxi owners on a pilot program to study the use of zero-emission, electric vehicles as taxis. Nissan will provide six 100-percent electric Nissan LEAFs and three Level 2 charging stations at no charge to taxi owners and New York City to test the electrification of the taxi fleet.

After a rigorous, two-year competitive bid selection process, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) selected the Nissan NV200 Taxi in May 2011 as the exclusive taxi of New York City beginning in late 2013. The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Design Trust for Public Space and Smart Design also have engaged with Nissan and the TLC in the vehicle’s design.

Designed from the inside out, using input from New York taxi drivers, medallion holders, fleets and passengers, standard interior features and passenger amenities include:

Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current taxi models

Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit Transparent roof panel, presenting unique views of the city

Opening side windows

Independently controlled rear air conditioning

Active Carbon Lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors

Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings

A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports

Breathable, antimicrobial, environment-friendly, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather

Flat “no hump” passenger floor area for more comfortable ride

The Taxi of Tomorrow is the only taxi ever to be safety tested and certified with full taxi partition. It also offers front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, and seat-mounted airbags for the front row. Traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control are standard.

The Nissan NV200 Taxi will be produced in North America at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle, with all planned standard features, will be approximately $29,700.


Source: Green Car Congress